The gut/poly thread

The 4g isn't too harsh? I've hit with 4g hybrids and full bed. It hurts lol. That's why I was thinking 4g soft. But maybe with the gut 4g would be nice. Also never hit with tourna, isnt that a cheap string to throw in with gut?
 
So if I use Klip legend in the mains at 60, are you saying that I should up my cross tension (Cream) closer to the tension of the mains? If I used cream only, I would probably string around 52 lbs. I play the ported tour 100 18/20's by the way. Or, are you saying that I should bring the gut down to like 55 and then string the cream at 55 too? I have a pretty big differential at 60 53 rght now. I would love for my beds to last as long as possible and play well. Help me understand the tension thing. Much appreciated.
 
Hypergxtraspin said:
The 4g isn't too harsh? I've hit with 4g hybrids and full bed. It hurts lol. That's why I was thinking 4g soft. But maybe with the gut 4g would be nice. Also never hit with tourna, isnt that a cheap string to throw in with gut?
Click to expand...

I felt 4G was too stiff even as cross with gut mains.

Black Zone is a good recommendation. Also I like Poly Tour Fire. Both are slick which is want you want for spin and to help with durability.

I also like Poly Tour Pro but broke strings way too fast with it. Basically the Fire is similar just slicker.
 
Yes it does. I think I will try one at like 58 klip and 55 cream. Or maybe 57/54. I was afraid of the gut being too powerful at that tension. I did not think of the poly taming it at a little higher tension. I guess you can combine the stiffness ratings and the gut should be soft enough to keep the poly from hurting me if it is a little tighter. I will try it.
 
Those looking for more lively string beds should really look at Tier One Ghostwire in the crosses. It's soft as cream but doesn't notch like Cream and is a bit more slippery allowing for more spin. Also comes in a wider array of gauges. Tension maintenance has been good even with a 19g string in my 93P.

Really impressed.

My wife also is a big fan of their multi Triumph. Feels very gut like .
 
I have lux gut/alu soft, lux gut/max power, fb proline II 18L, and fb cyclone 19 to choose from but I hope to narrow down the myriad of choices this summer.
 
Anyone here have any experience with Grapplesnake Irukandji? I have a set coming, and want to try it as a cross with some Luxilon Gut I bought on holiday sale.

If you’re not familiar, it’s a soft rectangular string with rounded edges, designed to give maximum surface area to prevent notching of your main strings.

Curious if it lives up to the promise...


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TheOtherBecker said:
Anyone here have any experience with Grapplesnake Irukandji? I have a set coming, and want to try it as a cross with some Luxilon Gut I bought on holiday sale.

If you’re not familiar, it’s a soft rectangular string with rounded edges, designed to give maximum surface area to prevent notching of your main strings.

Curious if it lives up to the promise...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I've been playing with that setup in a Graphene 360 Speed Pro. Lux Gut mains (55lbs) and Irukandji crosses (52lbs). It plays very nicely but I've not noticed much of a difference (or any at all) between it and other soft polys in spin or "spin potential" as Grapplesnake claims. Irukandji is an economically priced soft poly that I will not hesitate to use again. I did not find it revolutionary, however.
 
jfred said:
I've been playing with that setup in a Graphene 360 Speed Pro. Lux Gut mains (55lbs) and Irukandji crosses (52lbs). It plays very nicely but I've not noticed much of a difference (or any at all) between it and other soft polys in spin or "spin potential" as Grapplesnake claims. Irukandji is an economically priced soft poly that I will not hesitate to use again. I did not find it revolutionary, however.
Click to expand...

How about longer life and movement of the Gut? I think the idea of the string is to prevent notching, so the Gut mains wont fray as easily, and will be free to move/snap back.


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I do not feel the gut mains moving any more (or any less) than with any other poly I’ve used. However, my experience so far is that there is less notching in the gut mains with Irukandji so Grapplesnake’s claim is accurate in that regard.
 
Anyone have experience with Babolat vs. Touch + Babolat RPM Blast? I put Touch in the mains and RPM Blast in crosses at 54/51, but I'm wondering if this is a good combination.
 
Raidy said:
Anyone have experience with Babolat vs. Touch + Babolat RPM Blast? I put Touch in the mains and RPM Blast in crosses at 54/51, but I'm wondering if this is a good combination.
Click to expand...

I remember doing that in a PD+ and shredding the gut in a few hours. Moved to 4G and got better string life.
I avoid shaped poly in the crosses for that reason.
 
VS Touch/RPM Blast 17 is probably my favorite combination, followed by 4G Soft. The RPM Blast combination lasts longer for me and is easier on my wrist, which is why I prefer it. Tensions I use on the RF97 ranges from 57/54 to 55/53.
 
Dartagnan64 said:
I remember doing that in a PD+ and shredding the gut in a few hours. Moved to 4G and got better string life.
I avoid shaped poly in the crosses for that reason.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I haven't had a chance to place with them yet but I'm a big non-string breaker so they may last me longer, but if they get frayed quickly I'll try out the 4G combo like you said.

Ft.S said:
VS Touch/RPM Blast 17 is probably my favorite combination, followed by 4G Soft. The RPM Blast combination lasts longer for me and is easier on my wrist, which is why I prefer it. Tensions I use on the RF97 ranges from 57/54 to 55/53.
Click to expand...

Looks like I managed to find a great combo by luck then. I'm coincidentally having some wrist issues lately too so while I know this won't exactly cure them it may take some strain off.
 
I recently started experimenting with gut/poly hybrids and am a bit confused on how to select the most appropriate poly.

My understanding is that using a slick / smooth poly as the cross allows the mains to snap back easily, generating more spin. What if a very textured poly is used instead? Would you have less spin due the the mains not sliding as much? Or would you have more spin due to the increase in spin when going from a round to shaped poly (despite the smaller contribution of the crosses to the overall playing characteristics)?

Would it depend on your swing? The only times I consistently hear snapback (using 4G as cross) is on spinner serves. My swings are flatter/old school although I'm trying to "modernize" them. Should I be sticking with the textured crosses since I don't brush enough to get consistent snapback on my groundstrokes?

Thanks for the advice!
 
@Jambaa

I'm not sure if you would get less spin. Federer uses ALU Rough I believe. You would break your strings faster though compared to smooth.

I like to look for a poly that is slick and holds tension.

That's all I have for now...
 
Tried my first hybrid string setup ever and I gotta say it was amazing. I used Luxilon Alu Power 16L in the mains @55lbs and Alu Natural Gut 16L in the crosses also @55lbs. I was a little intimidated to try hybrid considering most of the pros use this set up. My first day I had a few control issues (hitting long, serve, etc) but I played effortlessly tonight, so much that I forgot about the hybrid setup. I’ve definitely found my formula and I look forward to what it does for my game.
 
Jambaa said:
I recently started experimenting with gut/poly hybrids and am a bit confused on how to select the most appropriate poly.

My understanding is that using a slick / smooth poly as the cross allows the mains to snap back easily, generating more spin. What if a very textured poly is used instead? Would you have less spin due the the mains not sliding as much? Or would you have more spin due to the increase in spin when going from a round to shaped poly (despite the smaller contribution of the crosses to the overall playing characteristics)?

Would it depend on your swing? The only times I consistently hear snapback (using 4G as cross) is on spinner serves. My swings are flatter/old school although I'm trying to "modernize" them. Should I be sticking with the textured crosses since I don't brush enough to get consistent snapback on my groundstrokes?

Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...

For most of us, as natural gut is so expensive and typically all of us plays until it breaks having a round slick poly with good tension maintence such as 4g, BBO, YPTP is beneficial as because it's round it doesn't cause the gut to notch on the textured surface of a string such as alu. Textured and shaped polys can dig and really saw through the NG, but with a round one you get much longer playability typically.

Personally I've been using 4g as a cross and for me I feel like ALU power would be much better, while 4g has good tension maintence it has very little bite and very stiff. Where as alu will compliment a gut hybrid as it has good bite, great ball pocketing.
 
To @SpinToWin and other European posters... I just realized that TWE sells Babolat has an offer for a VS/Spiraltek hybrid: buy three for about 10.6€ each. I don't actually recommend you string a natural gut and synthetic gut hybrid, but you're getting three half sets of VS 16/1.30mm natural gut for just under 11€ each... and some extra dental floss for your trouble. For comparison, a full set of Tonic+ 1.35mm is at around 27€. It's supposed to be in stock tomorrow.
https://www.tenniswarehouse-europe....m_Spiraltek_1_30_mm/descpageACQBA-BHVSSG.html
 
Last edited:
TforTommy said:
For most of us, as natural gut is so expensive and typically all of us plays until it breaks having a round slick poly with good tension maintence such as 4g, BBO, YPTP is beneficial as because it's round it doesn't cause the gut to notch on the textured surface of a string such as alu. Textured and shaped polys can dig and really saw through the NG, but with a round one you get much longer playability typically.

Personally I've been using 4g as a cross and for me I feel like ALU power would be much better, while 4g has good tension maintence it has very little bite and very stiff. Where as alu will compliment a gut hybrid as it has good bite, great ball pocketing.
Click to expand...

ALU Power is textured? I'm using the soft version and didn't notice.

Your post seems a bit contradicting in that you say that 4G, BBO, YPTP is beneficial for the gut unlike ALU due to notching but then praise ALU at the end. Lol maybe I need more coffee.
 
TagUrIt said:
Tried my first hybrid string setup ever and I gotta say it was amazing. I used Luxilon Alu Power 16L in the mains @55lbs and Alu Natural Gut 16L in the crosses also @55lbs. I was a little intimidated to try hybrid considering most of the pros use this set up. My first day I had a few control issues (hitting long, serve, etc) but I played effortlessly tonight, so much that I forgot about the hybrid setup. I’ve definitely found my formula and I look forward to what it does for my game.
Click to expand...
Actually I think most pro's use gut in the mains
 
CiscoPC600 said:
ALU Power is textured? I'm using the soft version and didn't notice.

Your post seems a bit contradicting in that you say that 4G, BBO, YPTP is beneficial for the gut unlike ALU due to notching but then praise ALU at the end. Lol maybe I need more coffee.
Click to expand...
alu is round sorry* Meant rough, my mistake
 
Sander001 said:
Actually I think most pro's use gut in the mains
Click to expand...


Yes you are correct, I was mainly referring to using a hybrid set up in general. My first experience with a hybrid set up. I choose to go with poly in the mains because that’s the string I wanted get the most benefit from. I’m now trying Luxilon Savage (shapes poly) in the mains. I will try the traditional pro set up with Natural Gut in the mains at some point.
 
@SpinToWin : What do you think of a VS 1.30/16 and Pro Line Rough 1.20/17L combination? So far I've had Tonic 1.35/15L and Max Power 1.25/16L and though Max Power (even in full bed) was not much to write home about. I've also had VS Team with RPM Blast in a demo racquet, which played fine but I don't really care for RPM either and the gut mains started fraying rather quickly; although to be honest the demo racquet was a Pacific BTX X Fast Pro. Kinda have six half sets of VS 1.30/16 and another two sets of Tonic laying around... Stuff that's too good to use! Fortunately TWE ended that promo on VS+Spiraltek... :-D
 
Lukhas said:
@SpinToWin : What do you think of a VS 1.30/16 and Pro Line Rough 1.20/17L combination? So far I've had Tonic 1.35/15L and Max Power 1.25/16L and though Max Power (even in full bed) was not much to write home about. I've also had VS Team with RPM Blast in a demo racquet, which played fine but I don't really care for RPM either and the gut mains started fraying rather quickly; although to be honest the demo racquet was a Pacific BTX X Fast Pro. Kinda have six half sets of VS 1.30/16 and another two sets of Tonic laying around... Stuff that's too good to use! Fortunately TWE ended that promo on VS+Spiraltek... :-D
Click to expand...
Hm not sure how it’d pair with the PL Rough tbh. In general, it’s rather hard to predict how hybriding two strings will end up.

What was it about the hybrid with Max Power you didn’t like?
 
USPTARF97 said:
VS Touch 1.30/ 4g 1.25. Maximum playability in the RF97.
Click to expand...

Had my first hit with Wilson Gut 16/ALU Power Rough 16 @ 57/54 and it's really powerful in a RF97. Is gut/poly really that much more powerful or is that all the RF97? I normally play PS90 with Velocity / Cream and Phantom 93P with full poly.

Gut/poly is super comfortable, just feel like I need to go much higher on the RF97. Really easy to take half swings to block serves and stretch 1hand backhands. Just could not crush balls at putaway speed without being careful.
 
SpinToWin said:
Hm not sure how it’d pair with the PL Rough tbh. In general, it’s rather hard to predict how hybriding two strings will end up.

What was it about the hybrid with Max Power you didn’t like?
Click to expand...
Not that I didn't like it,but I just find the regular Max Power a bit bland as a string, be it in hybrid or full bed. I'm a bit more used to rough/shaped strings, that's all.
 
Lukhas said:
Not that I didn't like it,but I just find the regular Max Power a bit bland as a string, be it in hybrid or full bed. I'm a bit more used to rough/shaped strings, that's all.
Click to expand...
Then I guess you’ll appreciate a livelier string that’ll make the gut bite more. I found 4G was a low powered option that added bite, while Lynx was a more lively option that did the same. YMMV though. Hope it helps anyhow :)
 
Addxyz said:
Had my first hit with Wilson Gut 16/ALU Power Rough 16 @ 57/54 and it's really powerful in a RF97. Is gut/poly really that much more powerful or is that all the RF97? I normally play PS90 with Velocity / Cream and Phantom 93P with full poly.

Gut/poly is super comfortable, just feel like I need to go much higher on the RF97. Really easy to take half swings to block serves and stretch 1hand backhands. Just could not crush balls at putaway speed without being careful.
Click to expand...

RF 97 is a pretty powerful stick but I also found Gut/Alu Power Rough too powerful. Try Gut/4G, the 4G really does a good job of adding more control.

I am actually using 4G soft in the crosses as I found 4G a little too stiff for me. Just something to be aware of, if you try 4G might want to string it a little lower than you did the Alu Power.
 
Jambaa said:
I recently started experimenting with gut/poly hybrids and am a bit confused on how to select the most appropriate poly.

My understanding is that using a slick / smooth poly as the cross allows the mains to snap back easily, generating more spin. What if a very textured poly is used instead? Would you have less spin due the the mains not sliding as much? Or would you have more spin due to the increase in spin when going from a round to shaped poly (despite the smaller contribution of the crosses to the overall playing characteristics)?

Would it depend on your swing? The only times I consistently hear snapback (using 4G as cross) is on spinner serves. My swings are flatter/old school although I'm trying to "modernize" them. Should I be sticking with the textured crosses since I don't brush enough to get consistent snapback on my groundstrokes?

Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...


I tried crossing 16 gauge gut from "Natural Gut Wholesale" with Cyclone 19. Don't do it. The Cyclone just devoured the mains in a couple hours or less. I imagine that Cyclone would do the same to most guts. I liked Cyberflash as a less expensive substitute to ALU.
 
I'm currently a full poly user but am thinking about giving NG/poly a whirl in an old racquet (Head MG Instinct, 18x19) that I liked a lot but caused some arm issues. I had a few questions:
  • Will a single NG pack be enough to cover 18 mains in two racquets? Does the NG stretch quite a bit when stringing?
  • If I string full poly at 55x53, what should I string NG/poly at (?/53)?
  • I am thinking of getting the 15L NG…is there much difference in playability between 15L and 16?
  • Does anyone ever restring poly crosses only in a NG/poly string job?
My cross will be Yonex PolyTour Strike 1.25

Thanks!
 
Been playing with YPTP 17 as a cross for gut. The setup starts off fine, but the poly loses tension quickly causing control issues. Some alternatives that I have tried cause stiffness in my forearm (max power, Grapplesnake Irukandji, ALU Power, Black Magic, RPM Blast). I liked MSV co-focus and Revolve, but I lost control as time went on.

I like a low-powered, dead feel that is gentle on the arm. Any suggestions?
 
PigPen said:
Been playing with YPTP 17 as a cross for gut. The setup starts off fine, but the poly loses tension quickly causing control issues. Some alternatives that I have tried cause stiffness in my forearm (max power, Grapplesnake Irukandji, ALU Power, Black Magic, RPM Blast). I liked MSV co-focus and Revolve, but I lost control as time went on.

I like a low-powered, dead feel that is gentle on the arm. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

What tension have you been stringing the gut/yptp hybrid at and how many hours are you getting out of it before the poly dies? I still have some of my reel of yptp 17 left. Been using it as a full bed, but considered trying it in a hybrid to extend the playability. But don’t want to waste the money on gut if the poly is going to bag out quickly and I have to cut it out.


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kdm711 said:
What tension have you been stringing the gut/yptp hybrid at and how many hours are you getting out of it before the poly dies? I still have some of my reel of yptp 17 left. Been using it as a full bed, but considered trying it in a hybrid to extend the playability. But don’t want to waste the money on gut if the poly is going to bag out quickly and I have to cut it out.


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Click to expand...
String at 58/53 and loses tension after 7-8 hours.
 
PigPen said:
String at 58/53 and loses tension after 7-8 hours.
Click to expand...

8-10hrs is about all that I get out of Gut/poly when playing conditions are good. That being said Black Zone is a poly that maintains tension well and is on the softer side. Bringing the differential to 2-3lbs will help with longevity provided you get a poly with better tension maintenance.
 
After trying out quite a few different combinations, I have to say that Babolat VS Touch (1.30) and RPM Team (1.25) still remains my go to reference. IME, playability wise, RPM Team is very similar to the RPM Blast; it plays much softer than its specs suggest and, in terms of durability and tension maintenance, it beats anything I've tried so far.
 
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